Ganesh Immersion in Hyderabad on September 25, Confirms Utsav Samithi

<p>Hyderabad: The Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi on Thursday, September 10, confirmed that the collective Ganesh idol immersion in the city will be held on Friday, September 25, on the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi. The Samithi appealed to devotees not to be misled by confusion circulating on social media over the festival dates.</p>
<p>Addressing a media conference, Samithi representatives said the 47th collective Ganesh festival will begin with idol installations on September 14, Monday, on the occasion of Vinayaka Chavithi, and culminate with the mass immersion procession on September 25.</p>
<p>The Samithi explained that confusion had arisen among people over the 12-day duration of the festival and the fact that Anant Chaturdashi falls on a Friday. It clarified that the date of immersion was decided based on the tithi and the guidance of religious scholars, not on the day of the week. "As Anant Chaturdashi falls on September 25 this year, the immersion will be conducted on that day not only in Bhagyanagar but across the country," the Samithi said, urging devotees to participate without any apprehension.</p>
<p>The Samithi also appealed to the media to support the festival, saying it represents the preservation of the country's traditions, culture and Hindu heritage while promoting social unity. It claimed the festival generates economic activity of around Rs 6,000 crore in Bhagyanagar, provides direct employment to nearly two lakh people, and indirect employment to about 4.5 lakh people.</p>
<p>Samithi representatives urged the media not to give prominence to what they described as deliberate misinformation regarding pollution caused by Ganesh immersions. They said official data from the Pollution Control Board should be the reference point when reporting on the issue.</p>
<p>Preparations for the immersion have been underway for the past three months in coordination with spiritual and religious organisations and government departments. The Samithi estimated around 50 lakh devotees would participate in the Anant Chaturdashi celebrations.</p>
<p>At the same time, the Samithi expressed dissatisfaction over alleged delays in coordination meetings with key government departments, particularly on arrangements at Vinayak Sagar and other immersion-related matters. It urged the Hyderabad Police, GHMC and other departments to complete arrangements at the earliest. The Samithi warned that if any untoward incident occurred due to lack of coordination or administrative lapses, the concerned government departments would be held responsible.</p>
<p>Dr. Ravinuthala Shashidhar, General Secretary of the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Committee, questioned restrictions being imposed on sound systems and DJs during the festivities and urged the government to ensure rules were applied uniformly.</p>
<p>"Traditional musical instruments, dance programmes and sound systems are an integral part of our festivities. Secular governments need not tell us how to conduct our cultural programmes or impose secular rules selectively on us," Dr. Shashidhar said.</p>
<p>He said the committee was ready to discuss sound-related concerns with the Hyderabad Police, but only if rules were applied equally to all. "The Supreme Court judgment on loudspeakers was not given only for Hindus. It applies to everyone. If the police have sincerity, they should first remove loudspeakers from religious places wherever the rules require it. We are ready to discuss the issue thereafter," he said.</p>
<p>Dr. Shashidhar also objected to cases being registered and vehicles being seized over DJ and sound systems, noting that several poor Hindu traditional artists and occupational communities depended on the festival for their livelihood. He urged the government to withdraw such restrictions.</p>
<p>He further criticised what he termed the "excessive interference" of HYDRAA in immersion-related matters. Referring to Ameenpur and Kapra lakes, he said officials should first examine the applicable laws before imposing restrictions on religious activities. "First read the law you want to implement. Religious festivals and religious activities should not be unnecessarily stopped," he said, adding that he had raised the issue directly with the HYDRAA Commissioner.</p>
<p>Questioning the concerns being raised over immersion at Kapra Lake, Dr. Shashidhar said the government had earlier promoted decentralised immersion facilities. He claimed around 6,000 idols could arrive at Kapra Lake and said authorities should make arrangements based on available data on registered and unregistered idols.</p>
<p>Dr. Shashidhar said the committee had sought an appointment with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and would meet him and extend a formal invitation to the celebrations.</p>